Isidor Straus was co owner of Macy Department stores. He and his wife were aboard the Titanic. When the ship hit the iceberg Mr Straus was offered a seat aboard a lifeboat, he refused until all women and children had gotten off the ship. He urged his wife Ida to get on a lifeboat but she refused. Claiming “We have lived together for so many years, where you go I go.”

Ida had her maid board a lifeboat and gave her the mink coat that she was wearing. They were last seen together on the deck of the Titanic. Isidors body was recovered from the water but Ida was never recovered.